d he believed, if they
refrained from making themselves useful, there was a prospect of their
being thus disposed of.

Through his influence, therefore, the refractory slaves remained staunch
in their resolution to abstain from work.

Their masters now saw that they were better off in the field than in the
prison. They could not be prevented from obtaining a few heads of the
barley, which they greedily ate, nor from obtaining a little moisture by
chewing the roots of the weeds growing around them.

As soon as this was noticed, two of the Arabs were sent to conduct them
back to the place where they had been confined on the night before.

It was with the utmost exertion that Sailor Bill and Colin were able to
reach the town; while the others, with the exception of Jim, were in a
very weak and exhausted state. Hunger and thirst were fast subduing
them--in body, if not in spirit.

On reaching the door of the goat-pen, they refused to go in, all
clamoring loudly for food and water.

Their entreaties were met with the declaration: that it was the will of
God that those who would not work should suffer starvation.

"Idleness," argued their masters, "is always punished by ill-health";
and they wound up by expressing their thanks that such was the case.

It was not until the two Arabs had obtained the assistance of several of
the women and boys of the village that they succeeded in getting the
white slaves within the goat-pen.

"Jim, I tell you I can't stand this any longer," said Sailor Bill. "Call
an' say to 'em as I gives in, and will work to-morrow, if they will let
me have water."

"And so will I," said Terence. "There is nothing in the future to
compensate for this suffering, and I can endure it no longer."

"Nor will I," exclaimed Harry; "I must have something to eat and drink
immediately. We shall all be punished in the next world for self-murder
in this unless we yield."

"Courage! patience!" exclaimed Jim. "It is better to suffer for a few
hours more than to remain all our lives in slavery."

"What do I care for the future?" muttered Terence; "the present is
everything. He is a fool who kills himself to-day to keep from being
hungry ten years after. I will try to work to-morrow, if I live so
long."

"Yes, call an' tell 'em, Jem, as 'ow we gives in, an' they'll send us
some refreshment," entreated the old sailor. "It ain't in human nature
to die of starvation if one can 'elp it."

But neither Jim nor